Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9:36 p.m.

Downtown Spartanburg will be home to three new businesses — a maternity store, a hiking supplier and a distillery.

The three won the city's Main Street Challenge, a competition that drew almost 60 applicants who pitched their ideas and business plans to a selection committee. The winners were announced in front of an audience of 170 at The Showroom after each of the six finalists gave entertaining presentations.

Endeavor Forever, a Greek apparel store, won crowd favorite and proceeds from the event.

Economic Development Director Patty Bock said she was “blown away” by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd that supported downtown businesses.

Each of the winners will receive $12,000 during its first year of operation and more than $20,000 worth of in-kind support such as payroll and website assistance. Each winner must sign a three-year lease contract with pre-selected downtown business owners. The locations of the three new businesses haven't been announced. All businesses must be open by November.

Michael Motte and his wife, Eugenia, are the owners of Motte and Sons Bootlegging Company — which will be the fourth distillery in South Carolina. The two have four sons, one of whom takes distillery classes in Colorado, who will be involved in the business. The distillery will offer whiskey, rum and gin.

Michael Motte said he and his wife first came up with an idea for a distillery after watching “Moonshiners.”

“We love the concept, we love downtown Spartanburg,” Michael Motte said. “We've gotten such great response and support. We can't wait to open.”

Mike Silverman will be the new owner of The Local Hiker, a hiking equipment supplier.

Mallory Edwards, a member of the selection committee, said The Local Hiker was a good example of a solid concept that took feedback from the selection committee and improved their idea.

“We suggested that they contact Patagonia and they did and have a contract with them now,” Edwards said. “That was the great thing about The Main Street Challenge is all the applicants, not just the finalists, received feedback and input from people who know what it takes to make a business in Spartanburg work and they will apply it to what they're doing.”

Haute Mama is a maternity store concept by Sara Riddle — a mother of a nine-month-old son who had a hard time finding maternity clothes that were affordable.

Riddle said she is excited about being a part of the future of downtown.

“I'm so excited,” Riddle said. “Just a chance to take an idea I had in my head and have it developed into something that the selection committee thinks will work is phenomenal, and this will give me and the other winners the support we need to succeed.”

The city is still working with other applicants to develop their concepts so more businesses open soon in downtown.

“I'm confident that we'll have 10 more businesses in downtown in the relatively near future,” Bock said. “People are ready, and I think Spartanburg is on the verge of great things.”

<p>Downtown Spartanburg will be home to three new businesses — a maternity store, a hiking supplier and a distillery.</p><p>The three won the city's Main Street Challenge, a competition that drew almost 60 applicants who pitched their ideas and business plans to a selection committee. The winners were announced in front of an audience of 170 at The Showroom after each of the six finalists gave entertaining presentations.</p><p>Endeavor Forever, a Greek apparel store, won crowd favorite and proceeds from the event.</p><p>Economic Development Director Patty Bock said she was “blown away” by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd that supported downtown businesses.</p><p>Each of the winners will receive $12,000 during its first year of operation and more than $20,000 worth of in-kind support such as payroll and website assistance. Each winner must sign a three-year lease contract with pre-selected downtown business owners. The locations of the three new businesses haven't been announced. All businesses must be open by November.</p><p>Michael Motte and his wife, Eugenia, are the owners of Motte and Sons Bootlegging Company — which will be the fourth distillery in South Carolina. The two have four sons, one of whom takes distillery classes in Colorado, who will be involved in the business. The distillery will offer whiskey, rum and gin.</p><p>Michael Motte said he and his wife first came up with an idea for a distillery after watching “Moonshiners.”</p><p>“We love the concept, we love downtown Spartanburg,” Michael Motte said. “We've gotten such great response and support. We can't wait to open.”</p><p>Mike Silverman will be the new owner of The Local Hiker, a hiking equipment supplier.</p><p>Mallory Edwards, a member of the selection committee, said The Local Hiker was a good example of a solid concept that took feedback from the selection committee and improved their idea.</p><p>“We suggested that they contact Patagonia and they did and have a contract with them now,” Edwards said. “That was the great thing about The Main Street Challenge is all the applicants, not just the finalists, received feedback and input from people who know what it takes to make a business in Spartanburg work and they will apply it to what they're doing.”</p><p>Haute Mama is a maternity store concept by Sara Riddle — a mother of a nine-month-old son who had a hard time finding maternity clothes that were affordable.</p><p>Riddle said she is excited about being a part of the future of downtown.</p><p>“I'm so excited,” Riddle said. “Just a chance to take an idea I had in my head and have it developed into something that the selection committee thinks will work is phenomenal, and this will give me and the other winners the support we need to succeed.”</p><p>The city is still working with other applicants to develop their concepts so more businesses open soon in downtown.</p><p>“I'm confident that we'll have 10 more businesses in downtown in the relatively near future,” Bock said. “People are ready, and I think Spartanburg is on the verge of great things.”</p>